POPE OF DIALOGUE John Paul II – the Pope of Dialogue For Pope John Paul II dialogue was never an end in itself but always a means to interact with human beings. Among the sick, the poor, the young, the elderly, thinkers, politicians, artists, and diplomats, on all the continents, in all situations, and facing various ethnic groups, John Paul II was constantly discovering the human being behind the dialogue. In this exhibition this discovery is visibly evident on the faces of people: both the anxious and those full of joy, hope, and life.
Dialogue as a Sign of the Polish Pope’s Pontificate For John Paul II dialogue was determined by and arose from the very foundations of Christian identity, based on an attitude of openness and honesty, and on a common, sincere and courageous pursuit of truth. As he said to the Polish bishops in 1979, ”It is important in a dialogue to be clear about who you are, so that you can speak with someone different from yourself”. In his actions in this area he was exceptionally consistent.
The Centre for the Thought of John Paul II is a Warsaw cultural institution, a place of meetings and for dialogue. The Centre operates in the fields of culture, research, and education. As a papal think-tank, it shapes leaders based on the idea of solidarity and responsibility for the common good.
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Well known gestures and events from his Pontificate showing his openness to dialogue were: visiting the Great Synagogue of Rome, kissing the Quran, crossing the threshold of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, initiating the World Days of Prayer for Peace in Assisi and meeting with young Muslims in Morocco. The Pope met many politicians, including those representing non-democratic systems, believing that hatred could be overcome with a deep, human encounter. John Paul II promoted the establishment or renewal of diplomatic relations with many countries and his attitude played a fundamental role in the fall of communism.